Why undervaluing families is a problem for SA's economy

Linda M. Richter, Director, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand

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A country’s wealth goes hand in hand with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the market value of goods and services over a defined period of time. In contrast, wealth is capital or assets: the tools we have to create GDP sustainably.

There are several types of capital available to a country: manufactured capital, natural capital, financial capital, social capital and human capital. Human capital includes people’s health, education, skills, motivation and inclusion. Social capital, on the other hand, refers to institutions and organisations that help to develop human capital: families, communities, businesses, schools, faith organisations, and the like.

A recent World Bank analysis concluded that two thirds of the wealth differentials between countries can be attributed to variations in human capital. It found that human capital accounts for 70% of wealth in high-income countries, whereas natural capital remains the biggest asset in low income countries.

Importantly, low-income countries that have moved to middle-income status have done so mainly by investing in human capital, particularly, health, education and infrastructure.

Human capital depends on social capital. Young children are born healthy, grow well, learn, get on with other people, work productively and pass on their resources to their children when government and families collaborate to create social capital.

Schools, health services, neighbourhoods and other social institutions in which we live work best when the state provides a facilitating environment and high quality services – and recognises this is only half of what is needed to realise and maintain its people’s potential.

The other half comes from the sacrifices made in families to give children the best possible chances, love, encouragement, support and help children receive from teachers and peers, and higher ideals and motivation inspired by leaders.

While overwhelming numbers of South Africans know that they owe almost everything to their families, families are massively under-valued in the country’s economy. This is what is argued in the 2018 Child Gauge, an annual publication which explores how the country’s children are faring. The state and families both have to step up to improve South Africa’s human and social capital.

Human capital is built from the start

Human capital development starts young. In the first three years of life, the brain is a sponge that soaks up experiences. These experiences mould who we become, including our vulnerability to illness, our confidence to learn, our ability to relate to others and our determination to push on even when things are hard.

Long term studies show that a poor start in life translates into an average loss of adult income per year of 26%. At a country level this exerts a downward pull on GDP, wealth as well as the country’s future growth.

The effects of poor early childhood development are expressed throughout life and into the next generation: poorer physical growth and health, less learning and schooling, lower prospects of work, poorer wages and increased social risks. Children born into these conditions start with lead on their feet.

Among the findings in the 2018 edition of the South African Child Gauge is the fact that more than 60% of children live in poverty. This means most children in South Africa live in households where the income is less than R1 138 per person per month. 12% of children live in households where they go hungry and more than a quarter of children younger than 5 years old show stunted physical growth.

Poor conditions for children’s development, coupled with poor quality schooling, mean that fewer than half of young people end up obtaining a school-leaving matric certificate.

What can be done?

For its part, government must recognise that it cannot develop human potential - a country’s most significant source of wealth - on its own. Families and communities have a strong role to play. But to do this, families have to be enabled, supported and appreciated. Most critically, families must be provided with quality services that match their investment in their children.

Families must recognise that the state cannot develop their children’s potential on its own. Even the best schools and health services will not make or keep their children healthy, educated and well-adjusted without their families’ deep commitment and engagement.

Families and the state are equal partners in ensuring that the most critical element of our wealth and our future –- human capital – is nurtured and fostered from young, and throughout life. In this way, human wealth can be shared by us all and handed on to South Africa’s children – with interest.